Soumya Sarkar’s struggles against New Zealand complicate Bangladesh’s World Cup plans

April 24, 2026 Aksel Kryhlmand

The curious case of Soumya Sarkar continues to perplex Bangladesh cricket, with his recent performances against New Zealand doing little to solidify his place ahead of the upcoming ODI World Cup.

An enigma throughout his 11-year international career, Sarkar's talent has often failed to translate into consistent impact, a trend that resurfaced in the crucial series against the Black Caps.

Having sat out the first match, Sarkar was drafted into the number three position for the second ODI in Mirpur.

The opportunity, however, was squandered as he managed just 8 runs off 11 balls. His dismissal was particularly telling, an attempted periscope shot that mistimed and flew directly to a fielder in the slip cordon, as reported by the Sports Reporter from Chattogram.

Missed opportunities and familiar dismissals

Despite the early exit, Sarkar retained his number three spot for the series-deciding third match in Chattogram, highlighting the team management's desire to build a settled combination. Yet, the outcome was strikingly similar.

Dismissed in the ninth over by Will O’Rourke, Sarkar's tentative dab was late to react to extra bounce from the surface, leading the ball to take the bat and crash onto the stumps.

This came after Bangladesh had already lost two early wickets, intensifying the pressure.

The nature of his dismissal in Chattogram also drew parallels with Tanzid Tamim's earlier exit in the same innings, both batters bringing their bat down at a similar angle.

These incidents underscore a broader issue within Bangladesh cricket concerning match awareness and adaptability to varied conditions, especially on what are often considered good batting surfaces.

Sarkar's career has been a rollercoaster of unfortunate selection decisions and missed chances.

His presence in the squad for the entire Pakistan series without playing a single game further illustrates the uncertainty surrounding his role.

With the ODI World Cup on the horizon, Bangladesh is desperately seeking stability and clarity in its batting lineup.

The recent outings against New Zealand were a prime opportunity for Sarkar to stake a strong claim, but his inability to convert starts or navigate challenging periods leaves the team with significant questions.

As Bangladesh aims to finalize its team composition, the enduring enigma of Soumya Sarkar remains a prominent challenge for the selectors.

Sources: www.thedailystar.net